Sidelock of youth

What it is

This style features a single braid hanging from the side of the head, while the rest of the scalp is shaved bare. The braid is typically formed from three strands of hair that converge and twist into a spiral at the end. It was worn by both mortal and divine children in Ancient Egypt. Although called a lock, it is technically a braid. The length varied from short to shoulder-length, often attached to a wig in later periods. The braid was usually positioned on the right side, though artistic depictions sometimes placed it on the left for visibility in profile views.

Where it comes from

The style emerged during the Old Kingdom as a divine attribute. Egyptologists named it the sidelock of youth due to its strong association with children. In the Middle Kingdom, the braid end was often rolled toward the front. Pharaohs Amenhotep I and Thutmoses III revived this specific Middle Kingdom form during the New Kingdom. The style regained prominence in the Late Period. During the 18th Dynasty, it became a central symbol for princes and princesses, marking them as designated heirs to the throne.

What it means

The braid served as a visual marker of legitimacy, identifying the wearer as a rightful heir of Osiris. It connected royal children to the youthful god Horus, who wore the same style as his father’s successor. This mythological link highlighted the special duties and status bound to the child’s position. Iconography often showed these children naked and sucking their fingers, with only the sidelock remaining on their shaved heads. The style signified both childhood and divine right to rule.

How it is made

A section of hair is separated from the side of the skull. This section is divided into three individual strands. These strands are braided together and secured at the root with a clasp. The end of the braid is twisted into a spiral shape. In some variations, the hair between the clasp and the spiral remains loose. For divine representations linked to the goddess Mafdet, the braid may terminate in a claw-like shape rather than a simple spiral.

Who and what it suits

It was historically worn by children in Ancient Egypt, regardless of their natural hair type, as it was often part of a wig or styled on shaved heads. The look is defined by its cultural and ritual context rather than modern aesthetic suitability.

Versions

Variations include the triple braided sidelock, where three strands merge into a spiral. Another type is the Horus lock, which also uses three strands but ends in a claw-like shape associated with the goddess Mafdet. Some versions feature a clasp at the origin with a loose lock of hair leading to a spiral end. Wigs wearing the sidelock appeared in curled, straight, or tressed styles.

In culture

The sidelock appears in mortuary cult depictions and royal iconography. It is closely tied to the myth of Horus and Osiris. Notable figures depicted with this style include Amenhotep I, Thutmoses III, and Khaemwaset, son of Rameses II. The style reflects the intersection of royalty, religion, and childhood in Ancient Egyptian society. It serves as a key identifier in art history for distinguishing royal children from other figures.

Questions people ask about Sidelock of youth

Good reading and sources

• Sidelock of youth on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data